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Sue Thrasher is an education, writer and civil rights activist. Thrasher is one of the founding members of the Institute for Southern Studies. Thrasher attended Scarritt College in Nashville, T ennessee. She received a doctorate in Educational Policy and Research from the School of Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She became active in the civil rights movement after a friend was denied service at a restaurant. Thrasher was one of the early activists in the Southern Students Organizing Committee, and she served as its first executive director ., In this interview, Sue Thrasher discusses her work with the Great Speckled Bird newspaper, her family, and her work with Highlander as well as her affiliation with the Institute for Southern Studies and the Southern Oral History Program.

Stevens Seaberg was born in Evanston, Illinois in 1930. He received his master’s in art and history at Northwestern University, and taught art at Rutgers University and Clark Atlanta University. Upon moving to Atlanta, Seaberg worked as a cartoonist and the culture editor for the Great Speckled Bird. He continues to be active in art as well as acrobatics., In this interview, Seaberg begins the interview discussing his family's political background and how it affected him. He also emphasizes how significant his education and upbringing was on his later professional choices. Seaberg discusses his move to Atlanta and the state of Atlanta's art scene upon his arrival. He focuses on issues of race and sexuality within the Atlanta art scene. Seaberg also discusses his work for underground newspapers, particularly the Great Speckled Bird. He spends the final part of the interview discussing his time at the Bird and his art career, both during and after his time at the Bird. He concludes the interview with a discussion of his current interests.

Born in Queens, N.Y. in 1947, Lorraine Fontana became an anti-war activist and supporter of the civil rights and black empowerment movements early in life. After joining VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) in 1968, she came to Atlanta, where she co-founded the Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance (ALFA), later known as DAR II (Dykes for the Second American Revolution). Fontana trained at the People’s College of Law in Los Angeles from 1976 to 1979 and went on to work with the National Jury Project, Georgia Legal Services, the EEOC in New York City, and Georgia’s Lambda Legal Education & Defense Fund. She was a member of the short-lived Queer Progressive Agenda (QPA) and is currently a supporter of First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta’s Social Justice Guild, the Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition, Charis Books, the Atlanta Grandmothers for Peace, SAGE Atlanta, and Southerners on New Ground., In this interview, Lorraine Fontana describes her childhood and family background, and what prompted her to become active in various social justice groups such as ALFA (The Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance). Much of the interview is focused on her time spent working for both ALFA and the Great Speckled Bird in Atlanta during the 1970s.

Edwin Terry Weber was born on March 28, 1947, in New York City. In 1973, he acted as the distribution manager for the Great Speckled Bird for one year. Today, he is a teacher and strong unionist residing in New York., In this interview, Terry Weber discusses his childhood and what led to him to become an active member in labor unions. Much of the interview is focused on his political and social views and how they developed throughout his life. He also shares stories about his family, the Great Speckled Bird, and jobs that he held throughout his life.

Reber Boult was born on November 17, 1936 in Nashville, Tenn. He was a lawyer in the Southern Regional Office of the American Civil Liberties Union, specializing in cases about anti-war activities and freedom of speech. He acted as the legal representative for the Great Speckled Bird in at least two of their obscenity trials., In this interview, Reber Boult talks more about cases that he has worked on in the past, specifically ones that deal with civil rights and the freedom of speech. He also talks about the Great Speckled Bird, Atlanta in the 1960s and 1970s, his family, and his opinions on the world today.

Don Speicher was born in Pittsburgh in 1946 and grew up there. He attended Allegheny College from 1963-1967. After graduating, he joined the VISTA program and moved to Atlanta. In Atlanta, he joined the staff of The Great Speckled Bird. After Atlanta, Speicher lived in Boston, working as an assistant for the Police Commissioner. After Boston, Speicher and his family moved to Pawnee, Oklahoma, where he owns a lumber yard., In this interview, Speicher begins by discussing his early life in Pittsburgh. He then discusses his time in college and joining the VISTA program. He talks about moving to Atlanta and joining The Great Speckled Bird. He discusses his role at The Bird and the atmosphere of the era. He then discusses his work in Boston and moving to Oklahoma. He concludes the interview by reflecting on his time at The Bird and his current political priorities.

Bob Malone was born in Richmond, Va. in 1942. His father was in the Army. Malone mainly grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Malone enrolled at East Carolina University in 1961 and graduated in 1972. His father died while he was in college. Malone worked with VISTA programs in St. Petersburg, Florida. After Florida, he moved to Atlanta and joined The Great Speckled Bird as the circulation manager. After The Bird, he continued his political activism and went to law school, graduating in 1991. He has worked mainly with immigrant workers and Native Americans in his law career., In this interview, Malone begins by describing his early childhood in Virginia. He then describes his elementary years in the suburbs of D.C and his high school experiences. He moves to discussing his years in college and the beginning of his political activism. He discusses his political demonstrating throughout the 1960s and work with VISTA. He then talks about his time in Atlanta with The Great Speckled Bird newspaper. After that, he discusses his move to California and relations with the FBI. Malone discusses finishing his college degree, working many side jobs, and then returning to school for his law degree. He discusses his work with the Central America Solidarity Movement and his work with Native Americans in the US. He concludes the interview with a reflection on his time at The Bird and a discussion of his current political interests.

Teresa Secules was born in Muncy, Pa. in 1949. She attended Antioch College. After teaching for several years in the Atlanta Public School System, Secules joined the underground newspaper The Great Speckled Bird as an editor and local reporter. She holds a PhD in Cognitive/Developmental Psychology from Emory University and is currently a Professor of Education at Piedmont College., In this interview, Secules discusses her early years in Atlanta. She also discusses working at The Great Speckled Bird. She talks about her graduate education and her many different teaching positions over the years.

Alvin Burrell was born in Atlanta, Ga. in 1949. Burrell grew up in Georgia and Alabama. He attended the University of Tennessee, where he studied sociology. During his years in Tennessee, Burrell became politically engaged. After college, he moved to Atlanta and joined the staff at The Great Speckled Bird. He later became an accountant., In this interview, Alvin Burrell discusses his childhood in depth. He discusses his parents and segregation and integration in Georgia and Alabama. He then talks about his years at the University of Tennessee and his entrance into the political sphere. The last portion of the interview focuses on Burrell's time at The Great Speckled Bird.

Teresa Secules was born in Muncy, Pa. in 1949. She attended Antioch College. After teaching for several years in the Atlanta Public School System, Secules joined the underground newspaper The Great Speckled Bird as an editor and local reporter. She holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive/Developmental Psychology from Emory University and is currently a Professor of Education at Piedmont College., In this interview, Teresa Secules begins by recounting her experience growing up in rural Pennsylvania and her awareness of the extreme poverty of the area and its people. She then discusses the formative education that led her to to attend Antioch College and the opportunity for new experiences the college afforded her including a year studying abroad in Denmark. Secules also describes the variety of co-operative education she participated in and how she was eventually motivated to pursue teaching as a career. Finally, she provides an overview of her work at The Great Speckled Bird, the operations of the newspaper, and some of the content of the publication.

Alvin Burrell was born in Atlanta, Ga. in 1949. Burrell grew up in Georgia and Alabama. He attended the University of Tennessee, where he studied sociology. During his years in Tennessee, Burrell became politically engaged. After college, he moved to Atlanta and joined the staff at The Great Speckled Bird. He later became an accountant., In this interview, Burrell describes his days at The Great Speckled Bird. He discusses his duties and relationships with staff members. He also discusses the politics of the paper and many details of the production process. Burrell discusses his social action and political work throughout his adult life. He also discusses his work as an accountant after The Bird. He concludes the interview by reflecting on his years at The Bird and significant members of the staff.

Krista Brewer was born in January 1947 in Atlanta, Georgia. While in high school, Brewer started writing for the school newspaper. After graduating, she went to Oxford College of Emory University and later transferred to Jacksonville University to finish a degree in sociology. Brewer got experience teaching but realized her career wasn't taking the path she had envisioned. She later got involved with more political and women's movements. Living back home in Atlanta, Brewer came across a copy of The Great Speckled Bird. The paper advertised a need for a news reporter, so she applied for the position and shortly began working at the Bird., In this interview, Krista Brewer begins by focusing on the later years of her work at the Great Speckled Bird, emphasizing her relationships with other staffers. The latter part of the interview focuses on her life and work since leaving the Bird, specifically how she continues to be involved in groups that promote social justice and civic engagement.

Anne Jenkins Perry was born in Toronto, Canada in 1947. Her parents were part of the Unitarian church. Perry received a full scholarship to Reed College in Portland, Or., a school with Unitarian ties. At Reed, Perry studied anthropology and archaeology. She also became involved in politics (presidential campaigns, race conflicts). Perry moved to Atlanta in August of 1968 and began working for The Great Speckled Bird. Subsequently, Perry worked in many fields including tourism and finance.She currently spends much of her time working within her Unitarian church in Rochester, N.Y., In this interview, Anne Jenkins Perry discusses her early childhood in Canada. She also discusses her high school years in Rochester, N.Y. and college years at Reed College, including becoming interested in political activity. Perry discusses her political activity throughout her life and her years at The Great Speckled Bird. Perry also discusses her many jobs after The Bird and her memories of her time at The Bird.

Howard M. Romaine was born in New Iberia, La. in 1942. He earned a B.A. degree from Southwestern (now Rhodes College) at Memphis, Tenn. in 1964 and an M.A. from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville in 1967. While at UVA, Romaine became involved in the civil rights movement and the anti-Vietnam War movement. He was a member of the NAACP, Students for a Democratic Society, Southern Student Organizing Committee, Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, and Southern Conference Education Fund. In 1967, Romaine began working for the United States National Student Association (USNSA) in Charlottesville, Va., a group that studied issues such as civil rights and the Vietnam War that were important to students in higher education. Later that year, he moved to Atlanta, Ga. to direct the Southern Student Human Relations Project, part of the USNSA. By 1968 Romaine had helped begin The Great Speckled Bird, an alternative newspaper, and became involved in local Democratic Party politics. He worked for Eugene McCarthy’s 1968 presidential campaign and on Julian Bond’s successful election to the Georgia assembly. Romaine left the Great Speckled Bird and founded the Institute for Southern Studies. He worked on George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign and after its failure, moved to Washington, DC. Romaine was involved in a severe automobile accident on a trip back to Louisiana and spent several years recuperating. He earned a law degree at Louisiana State University in 1979, practiced law briefly in Baton Rouge, and returned to Atlanta permanently to practice law. Romaine married the former Dorothy Anne (known as Anne) Cooke in 1965 and a daughter, Rita, was born shortly afterward., Romaine discusses his early life growing up in New Iberia, La. He talks about his father’s experiences in the Philippines during World War II and his deteriorated health upon returning to the United States. He talks about his early impressions of living in Atlanta and describes the group of people that was involved with the Great Speckled Bird. Romaine spends much of the interview describing the diversity of the South and the civil rights movement, and also discusses the Vietnam War.

Tom Perry was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania April 27, 1945 while his father was serving in the military. Primarily raised near his extended family in West Virginia, Perry and his parents moved to Florida when he was ten years old. After finishing High School, Perry attended the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, where he studied Psychology. Perry began writing articles about bicycling and public transportation for The Great Speckled Bird after meeting Anne Jenkins, Bird contributor and Perry’s future wife. From Atlanta, the Perry’s moved to Auburn, Alabama and Southern California, where they adopted two children. Perry spent much of his career working for Xerox, eventually retiring in Rochester, NY. After raising his grandchildren, Perry got involved in social justice advocacy efforts in Rochester through the Rochester Alliance of Communities Transforming Society (Roc/ACTS)., Tom Perry talks about growing up in West Virginia, where much of his family had resided for generations. He talks about the early influence of his parents, both teachers, who raised him to be accepting of people regardless of their income or ethnic background. Perry recalls how “instances of public hypocrisy” troubled him as a high school student and goes on to narrate the course of his “political education” upon moving to Atlanta. He describes his involvement with SSOC at Georgia Tech, his VISTA service after graduation, and participation in the Venceremos Brigade. Perry discusses his article contributions to The Great Speckled Bird, which advocated for bicycle-friendly street improvements and discussed plans for MARTA. Lamenting his lack of direct involvement in activism when he lived in Alabama and California, Perry tells of his recent re-entrance into local social justice efforts in Rochester, New York.

Berl Boykin was born in 1944 in Miami, Fl. He is a poet, playwright, producer/director, and actor. He was a founding member of the Georgia Gay Liberation Front. He was a participant in the Atlanta underground newspaper The Great Speckled Bird in the 1970s., In this interview, Berl Boykin discusses growing up in the south (Florida and Georgia) as a gay man. He extensively discusses sexual repression of gay men and women. He also talk about The Georgia Gay Liberation Front, the Civil Rights Movement, and Atlanta culture of the 1960s and 1970s. He opens and closes the interview by reading his own poetry.

Sue Thrasher is an education, writer and civil rights activist. Thrasher is one of the founding members of the Institute for Southern Studies. Thrasher attended Scarritt College in Nashville, Tennessee. She received a doctorate in Educational Policy and Research from the School of Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She became active in the civil rights movement after a friend was denied service at a restaurant. Thrasher was one of the early activists in the Southern Students Organizing Committee, and she served as its first executive director., In this interview, Sue Thrasher discusses the evolution of the Institute for Southern Studies and their journal Southern Exposure. She talks about oral history interviews she conducted with folk musician Phil Ochs and various country musicians in Nashville. Thrasher describes her early involvement with the Great Speckled Bird and discusses sexism at the Bird as well as within the Students for a Democratic Society. She talks about the demise of the Southern Student Organizing Committee. Thrasher ends the interview by discussing various aspects of social and cultural life in Atlanta in the 1960s and 1970s, and describing her relationship with her conservative family.

Becky Greenberg was born in 1945 and grew up in Palatka, Fl. After graduating from Emory University, she became a writer for The Great Speckled Bird while also working for the Atlanta, Ga. chapter of the ACLU. She was later involved in the US China Peoples Friendship Association where she organized educational events to improve relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China. She is currently retired and resides in St. Augustine, Fl., In this interview, Becky Greenberg describes her childhood growing up in Palatka, Fl., her educational and family history, and segregation in the Palatka and St. Augustine, Fl. areas. She then explores her coming-of-age at Emory University and during her travels through Europe after her college graduation. As a highly-involved former member of The Great Speckled Bird, Greenberg offers insight into the operations, ideology and dynamics of the newspaper and its legacy.

Berl Boykin was born in 1944 in Miami, Fl. He is a poet, playwright, producer/director, and actor. He was a founding member of the Georgia Gay Liberation Front. He was a participant in the Atlanta underground newspaper The Great Speckled Bird in the 1970s., In this interview, Berl Boykin discusses his involvement with The Great Speckled Bird in more detail, and he speaks about the evolution of his involvement over time. He also discusses the demise of the paper and his later projects (theater, radio). He concludes the interview by discussing HIV/AIDS and his experiences in gay culture.

Nancy Presley was born in 1947 in Albany, Ga. where she also currently resides. After graduating from Emory University with a degree in Art History, Presley worked as a layout editor for The Great Speckled Bird and printer for the Sojourner Truth Press. She later spent ten years as a member of The Farm commune in Summertown, Tn. before becoming an art teacher. Richard Schoenbrun is a registered nurse and longtime member of The Farm commune., In this interview, Nancy Presley begins the conversation by discussing her family and childhood in Albany, Ga., her influences and her somewhat tumultuous college experience. She then describes her experiences as a layout editor at The Great Speckled Bird and her involvement in the women's liberation movement through her work at the Sojourner Truth Press. Near the end of the interview, Richard Schoenbrun joins the conversation to augment Presley's account of living on The Farm commune in Summertown, Tn.

Doyle Niemann was born in 1947 in Grand Island, Neb. After his involvement in the Students for a Democratic Society in the 1960s, Niemann became a professional journalist and worked for notable publications such as The Great Speckled Bird and In These Times. He later made the transition to politics and served as a Maryland State Delegate from 2003-2015. He currently works for the State's Attorney's Office in Prince George's County, Md. as a prosecutor., In this interview, Doyle Niemann provides a detailed overview of his political, personal and professional experiences as a journalist and political activist. Niemann discusses his childhood in racially segregated Grand Island, Neb. and its influence on his progressive political views and connects it to his political activism while a student at the University of Texas as part of the Students for a Democratic Society. He then guides listeners through his entry into journalism and his experiences as part of The Great Speckled Bird newspaper and collective during the early 1970s. Finally, Niemann provides a history of his political activism after his departure from journalism and his involvement in Maryland state politics from the 1980s-2010s.

Pam Beardsley was born in New York and spent much of her early childhood on Long Island. She attended American University in Washington, D.C. where she majored in Asian studies and became involved in anti-war activism. She moved to Atlanta in 1971, where she became involved in the Great Speckled Bird, largely as a type-setter. Beardsley became a Tibetan Buddhist in the 1990s, and eventually moved to India in 2001., Beardsley describes her childhood and relationship with her parents. In describing her formative college years, Beardsley describes a series of events that shaped her worldview and led her to participate in political activism. Upon moving to Atlanta in 1971, Beardsley began working for the Great Speckled Bird as a typesetter. She talks about how her experiences protesting nuclear energy ended her activist career. Lastly, she describes her interest in Tibetan Buddhism, and her present-day life in India.

Patrick Edmondson was born in Tifton, Ga. in 1950 and currently lives in Atlanta. He attended Emory at Oxford/Emory University for his undergraduate degree. He then went to graduate school in English at Georgia State University. He sold The Great Speckled Bird throughout its existence. Professionally, he taught English and Computer Science. After retiring, he started The Strip Project, a website documenting the history of the hippie movement in Atlanta.

Mickey Gillmor was born in Washington DC on September 10, 1942. Her parents divorced when she was five years old, but both parents maintained an active role in her life. Her father was a writer and philanthropist who enrolled Gillmor in a liberal boarding school when she was 14. She went on to attend Radcliffe College (now a part of Harvard). Gillmor attended nursing school at Emory, and later became a midwife. She spent much of her career working at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. While raising her first child, Gillmor volunteered her time as a copy editor for the Great Speckled Bird., Gillmor talks about the influence her parents had on her life, and how her early political views were shaped by her father and the boarding school she attended. She explains how she came to be interested in nursing and midwifery, and talks about her long career in the field. Gillmor talks about her involvement with the Great Speckled Bird in the mid-1970’s, and the relationships she has maintained with people who were also involved with the publication.

Charlie Cushing was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1943. Around 1946, Cushing and his family moved to Tampa, Florida. After high school, Cushing moved to Atlanta to attend college at Georgia Institute of Technology and later transferred to Oglethorpe University. In the 1960s, Cushing became involved with the anti-war movement in Atlanta, where he made connections with the people who founded The Great Speckled Bird. Once the Bird started, Cushing began working as advertising manager for the paper., In this interview, Charlie Cushing talks about his childhood and describes what college was like for him. He also discusses the various political groups he joined that impacted his life. Cushing discusses joining the staff of the Great Speckled Bird and the role he had while working for the paper. He later talks about the paper's staff, the firebombing of the Bird's headquarters, and the impact the paper had on its audience.